They may have a hall closer to state of the ark than state of the art, but Guildford City's amateur boxers are leading the country in one respect.

No other club can equal their 10 qualifiers into the Golden Gloves quarter-finals.

They will head to Bristol on February 16, with an additional incentive for the youngsters being that City are hosting the semis at Aldershot’s Connaught Leisure Centre a week later.

Light-welterweight Eli Matthews, the 14-year-old who has already represented England, headed the charge by outgunning CJ Rogers of Waterside 10-1.

Bantamweight Miley Lee – also 14 and with national honours – looked outstanding in an 11-2 win over J Logan of Hastings. Both boys are looking to retain their titles.

City coach John Edwards said: “For us to get 10 lads to the quarters is a great effort and we are very proud of them all.

"The boys are training up to five nights a week, fitting it in with their homework, and it’s a big effort by everyone in the club to support them as well.”

He would love to see the feat reflected in some improvements to their Stoke Agricultural Hall headquarters in Bellfields Road, adding: “We are running out of room because we have so many young boxers. If we had funds to extend then we would be in a much better position.”